How to File a Car Accident Claim With State Farm in Texas

Car accidents might be one of the most common causes of injuries in the US, but that does not make a case any easier to navigate as an injured victim. Whether this is your first auto accident involving State Farm Insurance or not, it is important to protect your rights. Auto insurance providers want to save money, not maximize your financial settlement. Knowing how to file a car accident claim with State Farm and negotiate for fair compensation could make all the difference to the outcome of your case.

Things to Remember

Before you initiate the auto insurance claims process, remember that State Farm will not be on your side. The insurance company’s goal will be to pay you as little as possible for your injuries and damages. All insurance companies share the same goal: to limit their liability and minimize claimants’ payouts. Do not make the mistake of thinking State Farm will want what is best for you in the aftermath of an auto accident. Instead, expect the insurance claims adjuster to try different tactics to convince you to settle for as little as possible.

With this in mind, take a few steps to protect your rights as a claimant filing with State Farm in Texas. First, never admit fault. Even if you think you are to blame, wait for an official investigation to determine fault. It may surprise you to find that someone else shares fault, such as the other driver or an auto manufacturer. Also, avoid giving a recorded statement to the claims adjuster. This is a tactic the adjuster could use to get you to say something that could hurt your claim. Finally, do not give the adjuster more information than requested. Limit your answer to a simple yes or no whenever possible.

Gather Information

During your phone call to State Farm, the agent will ask you several questions about your auto accident. Prepare this information in advance for the easiest and most efficient claims process possible. Write down facts about your case while they are still fresh in your mind. This should include where the accident happened, the driving conditions, the time the crash occurred, the names of any witnesses, the name of the other driver and a description of the vehicles involved.

Call the police while at the scene of any accident that involves injuries, deaths or over $1,000 in property damages. This is the law in Texas. You may also call the police for more minor accidents if you wish to have them on official record. Write down your police report number. Go to the hospital right away. Delayed medical care is a common reason insurance companies such as State Farm give for denying benefits. Even if you are not in pain, see a doctor just in case.

Notify State Farm Right Away

Once you have collected all important information and been to a doctor, call State Farm to file your claim. You should notify the insurance company of the wreck as soon as possible – ideally within 24 hours of the crash. If you wait any longer, State Farm may try to use delayed reporting as a reason to deny or delay your claim. File a claim with State Farm by calling 800-SF-CLAIM (732-5246) or using the State Farm app.

Hire a Car Accident Attorney

Contact a Houston car accident lawyer for assistance with the settlement negotiation process with State Farm. A lawyer will know how the insurance company operates, as well as how to improve the odds of obtaining fair compensation. Do not sign any documents from the insurance company before bringing them to an attorney. This includes medical release forms. Some of these forms may contain invasions of your privacy.

Allow a lawyer to review all documents before signing. Do not accept the first settlement offer you receive from State Farm. Instead, take the offer to your lawyer for advice. State Farm may be offering less than your injuries demand. With an attorney representing you, however, State Farm will have no choice but to treat your claim fairly.